Pundit apologises to Spurs star after calling out what he did following Atletico loss

A football pundit has issued a public apology to Spurs captain Cristian Romero over comments he made following the 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last 16 first leg.

Spurs suffered their fourth consecutive defeat under new interim manager Igor Tudor at the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday night.

They were 4-0 down inside 22 minutes after two costly errors from goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who was making his Champions League debut for the club.

The Czechia international, who hadn't played a first team match since October, was substituted by Tudor after Atletico's third goal.

Spurs would pull a goal back in the first half through Pedro Porro, while Dominic Solanke scored after Julian Alvarez had put Atletico 5-1 up.

Kevin Danso and Archie Gray - who have been among a minority of consistent performers for Spurs this season - were on post-match media duties after full-time in Spain.

Archie Gray and Kevin Danso were on post-match media duty for Spurs (Image: Getty)

Speaking on TNT Sports Brasil, journalist Fred Caldeira called on Spurs to strip captain Romero of the armband for his failure to publicly speak after the result.

He fumed (as per Sport Witness): "Romero doesn't deserve to wear the captain's armband at Tottenham.

"Cristian Romero should have given an interview today. It was his obligation as captain.

"You value when you see Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool, or players who have faced the media during difficult years at Manchester United.

"He's not the main culprit for what's happening, but he's also not someone who is helping.

"At the very least, he should face the situation, and he isn't doing that."

Romero had in fact been taken off in the closing minutes after a sickening clash of heads with team-mate Joao Palhinha.

Romero and Joao Palhinha were both substituted after a clash of heads (Image: Getty)

As Spurs had already used all five substitutes, they had nine players on the pitch as the full-time whistle was blown in Madrid.

Interim boss Tudor, who is already under significant pressure to keep his job, said he 'didn't know' whether either player would be available for their next fixture against Liverpool on Sunday amid concerns they had suffered a concussion.

Taking to Twitter hours later, Caldeira admitted he had 'committed an injustice' with his comments about Romero, clarifying: "I have to leave the pitch minutes before the final whistle to reach the post-match interviews in time, so I didn't see the head collision between Romero and Palhinha.

"Clearly he [Romero] was not in condition to give interviews."

Spurs have now won just two of their 15 matches in all competitions in 2026, with both of those coming in the Champions League group stages.

They currently sit in 16th place in the Premier League and are just one point - plus a superior goal difference - ahead of 18th-placed West Ham, who occupy the first relegation spot.